A system supplying electrical power to a vehicle including: a network of electricity consuming units; a first electrical accumulation battery connected to the network, exhibiting a first maximum voltage when unloaded less than a maximum network voltage; a second electrical accumulation battery connected to the network, exhibiting a second maximum voltage when unloaded greater than the maximum voltage when unloaded of the first battery, and a minimum acceptable voltage when unloaded below the maximum network voltage; a drivable alternator connected to the network, configured to deliver to the second battery an electrical energy under a setpoint voltage drivable to various setpoint values; an electronic management facility, configured to impose at least two different setpoint voltages successively on the alternator when the vehicle is running, a low alternator voltage greater than the first maximum voltage, and a high alternator voltage greater both than the minimum voltage and than the low alternator voltage.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An electrical power supply system of a vehicle, comprising: a direct-current network, of at least one electrically powered device, that can be powered by a range of voltages not exceeding a maximum network voltage; a first electrical accumulation battery connected to the network, and having a first maximum no-load voltage that is less than the maximum network voltage; a second electrical accumulation battery connected to the network, having a second maximum no-load voltage that is greater than the maximum network voltage and greater than the maximum no-load voltage of the first battery, and an acceptable minimum no-load voltage that is less than the maximum network voltage, an adjustable generator connected to the network configured to supply electrical energy to the second battery with a setpoint voltage adjustable to different setpoint values; and an electronic management unit configured to set the adjustable generator, when the vehicle is being driven, successively to at least two different setpoint voltages, a low generator voltage and a high generator voltage, wherein the low generator voltage is greater than the acceptable minimum no-load voltage of the second battery, and the high generator voltage is lower than the second maximum no-load voltage of the second battery.
A vehicle electrical system contains a DC network powering electrical devices. A first battery, like a lead-acid battery, connects to this network and has a maximum voltage lower than the network's maximum. A second battery, like a lithium-ion battery, also connects to the network. It has a higher maximum voltage than the network and the first battery, but its minimum acceptable voltage is still below the network's maximum. An adjustable generator charges the second battery, with the charging voltage configurable. An electronic unit controls the generator to alternate between a lower voltage (above the second battery's minimum) and a higher voltage (below the second battery's maximum) while the vehicle is running, optimizing charging for both batteries.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first battery is a lead battery and the second battery is a lithium battery.
The vehicle electrical system as described: A vehicle electrical system contains a DC network powering electrical devices. A first battery, like a lead-acid battery, connects to this network and has a maximum voltage lower than the network's maximum. A second battery, also connects to the network. It has a higher maximum voltage than the network and the first battery, but its minimum acceptable voltage is still below the network's maximum. An adjustable generator charges the second battery, with the charging voltage configurable. An electronic unit controls the generator to alternate between a lower voltage (above the second battery's minimum) and a higher voltage (below the second battery's maximum) while the vehicle is running, optimizing charging, is characterized in that the first battery is a lead-acid battery, and the second battery is a lithium battery.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electronic management unit is configured to open a switch of the second battery when an engine of the vehicle is stopped and, if the voltage of the first battery drops beneath a first threshold and simultaneously the voltage of the second battery is above a second threshold, to close this switch for a predetermined period of time before the vehicle is next started.
The vehicle electrical system as described: A vehicle electrical system contains a DC network powering electrical devices. A first battery, like a lead-acid battery, connects to this network and has a maximum voltage lower than the network's maximum. A second battery, like a lithium-ion battery, also connects to the network. It has a higher maximum voltage than the network and the first battery, but its minimum acceptable voltage is still below the network's maximum. An adjustable generator charges the second battery, with the charging voltage configurable. An electronic unit controls the generator to alternate between a lower voltage (above the second battery's minimum) and a higher voltage (below the second battery's maximum) while the vehicle is running, optimizing charging for both batteries, further includes a switch for the second battery that opens when the engine stops. If the first battery's voltage drops below a threshold AND the second battery's voltage is above a threshold, the switch closes for a short time to allow the second battery to assist before the next engine start.
4. A management method of a motor vehicle having an electrical supply system having a direct-current network, of at least one electrically powered device, powered by a range of voltages not exceeding a maximum network voltage, a first electrical accumulation battery connected to the network and having a first maximum no-load voltage that is less than the maximum network voltage, and a second electrical accumulation battery connected to the network having a second maximum no-load voltage that is greater than the maximum network voltage an greater than the maximum no-load voltage of the first battery and an acceptable minimum no-load voltage that is less than the maximum network voltage, the method comprising: supplying, via an adjustable generator connected to the network, an electrical energy to the second battery with a setpoint voltage adjustable to different setpoint values; setting, via an electronic management unit, the adjustable generator, when the vehicle is being driven, successively to at least two different setpoint voltages, a low generator voltage and a high generator voltage, wherein the low generator voltage is greater than the acceptable minimum no-load voltage of the second battery, and the high generator voltage is lower than the second maximum no-load voltage of the second battery; selecting, via the electronic management unit, the low generator voltage for initial vehicle driving phases; and selecting, via the electronic management unit, the high generator voltage for a subsequent vehicle driving phases.
A method for managing a vehicle's electrical system, which includes a DC network for powering devices, a first battery (e.g., lead-acid) with a maximum voltage below the network's limit, and a second battery (e.g., lithium-ion) with a higher maximum voltage but an acceptable minimum voltage below the network's limit. The method involves using an adjustable generator to charge the second battery at varying voltages. An electronic unit controls the generator to switch between a low voltage and a high voltage during driving. The low voltage is greater than the second battery's minimum voltage, and the high voltage is less than the second battery's maximum. The low voltage is selected during initial driving phases, and the high voltage is selected for later driving phases.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the high generator voltage is set when the vehicle is in a regenerative deceleration phase, and the low generator voltage is set when the vehicle is in an engine acceleration phase.
The vehicle electrical system management method described as: A method for managing a vehicle's electrical system, which includes a DC network for powering devices, a first battery (e.g., lead-acid) with a maximum voltage below the network's limit, and a second battery (e.g., lithium-ion) with a higher maximum voltage but an acceptable minimum voltage below the network's limit. The method involves using an adjustable generator to charge the second battery at varying voltages. An electronic unit controls the generator to switch between a low voltage and a high voltage during driving. The low voltage is greater than the second battery's minimum voltage, and the high voltage is less than the second battery's maximum. The low voltage is selected during initial driving phases, and the high voltage is selected for later driving phases, sets the high generator voltage when the vehicle is decelerating (regenerative braking) and the low generator voltage during engine acceleration.
6. The method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein an intermediate generator voltage, greater than the low generator voltage and less than the high generator voltage, is set when a charge level of the second battery drops below a threshold charge, and/or when a specific driving mode of the vehicle other than deceleration is detected, and/or when the current supplied by the second battery to the network passes a given threshold.
The vehicle electrical system management method described as: A method for managing a vehicle's electrical system, which includes a DC network for powering devices, a first battery (e.g., lead-acid) with a maximum voltage below the network's limit, and a second battery (e.g., lithium-ion) with a higher maximum voltage but an acceptable minimum voltage below the network's limit. The method involves using an adjustable generator to charge the second battery at varying voltages. An electronic unit controls the generator to switch between a low voltage and a high voltage during driving. The low voltage is greater than the second battery's minimum voltage, and the high voltage is less than the second battery's maximum. The low voltage is selected during initial driving phases, and the high voltage is selected for later driving phases, sets an intermediate generator voltage (between low and high) when the second battery's charge is low, or when a specific driving mode (other than deceleration) is active, or when the current from the second battery exceeds a threshold.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: solar panels connected to the second battery to provide energy to the network.
The vehicle electrical system as described: A vehicle electrical system contains a DC network powering electrical devices. A first battery, like a lead-acid battery, connects to this network and has a maximum voltage lower than the network's maximum. A second battery, like a lithium-ion battery, also connects to the network. It has a higher maximum voltage than the network and the first battery, but its minimum acceptable voltage is still below the network's maximum. An adjustable generator charges the second battery, with the charging voltage configurable. An electronic unit controls the generator to alternate between a lower voltage (above the second battery's minimum) and a higher voltage (below the second battery's maximum) while the vehicle is running, optimizing charging for both batteries, also includes solar panels connected to the second battery to provide additional energy to the network.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the acceptable minimum no-load voltage of the second accumulation battery is greater than a first minimum no-load voltage of the first battery.
The vehicle electrical system as described: A vehicle electrical system contains a DC network powering electrical devices. A first battery, like a lead-acid battery, connects to this network and has a maximum voltage lower than the network's maximum. A second battery, like a lithium-ion battery, also connects to the network. It has a higher maximum voltage than the network and the first battery, but its minimum acceptable voltage is still below the network's maximum. An adjustable generator charges the second battery, with the charging voltage configurable. An electronic unit controls the generator to alternate between a lower voltage (above the second battery's minimum) and a higher voltage (below the second battery's maximum) while the vehicle is running, optimizing charging for both batteries, is designed such that the second battery's minimum acceptable voltage is higher than the first battery's minimum voltage.
9. The system as claimed n claim 1 , wherein the low generator voltage is less than or equal to 1.05 times the maximum no-load voltage of the first battery.
The vehicle electrical system as described: A vehicle electrical system contains a DC network powering electrical devices. A first battery, like a lead-acid battery, connects to this network and has a maximum voltage lower than the network's maximum. A second battery, like a lithium-ion battery, also connects to the network. It has a higher maximum voltage than the network and the first battery, but its minimum acceptable voltage is still below the network's maximum. An adjustable generator charges the second battery, with the charging voltage configurable. An electronic unit controls the generator to alternate between a lower voltage (above the second battery's minimum) and a higher voltage (below the second battery's maximum) while the vehicle is running, optimizing charging for both batteries, limits the low generator voltage to be less than or equal to 1.05 times the maximum voltage of the first battery.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the low generator voltage is less than or equal to 1.035 times the maximum no-load voltage of the first battery.
The vehicle electrical system as described: A vehicle electrical system contains a DC network powering electrical devices. A first battery, like a lead-acid battery, connects to this network and has a maximum voltage lower than the network's maximum. A second battery, like a lithium-ion battery, also connects to the network. It has a higher maximum voltage than the network and the first battery, but its minimum acceptable voltage is still below the network's maximum. An adjustable generator charges the second battery, with the charging voltage configurable. An electronic unit controls the generator to alternate between a lower voltage (above the second battery's minimum) and a higher voltage (below the second battery's maximum) while the vehicle is running, optimizing charging for both batteries, further limits the low generator voltage to be less than or equal to 1.035 times the maximum voltage of the first battery.
11. The system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a DC/DC voltage transformer configured to lower the voltage supplied by the second battery to the network.
The vehicle electrical system as described: A vehicle electrical system contains a DC network powering electrical devices. A first battery, like a lead-acid battery, connects to this network and has a maximum voltage lower than the network's maximum. A second battery, like a lithium-ion battery, also connects to the network. It has a higher maximum voltage than the network and the first battery, but its minimum acceptable voltage is still below the network's maximum. An adjustable generator charges the second battery, with the charging voltage configurable. An electronic unit controls the generator to alternate between a lower voltage (above the second battery's minimum) and a higher voltage (below the second battery's maximum) while the vehicle is running, optimizing charging for both batteries, also includes a DC/DC voltage converter that reduces the voltage supplied by the second battery before it reaches the vehicle's electrical network.
12. The system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the voltage transformer is bi-directional and configured to power the second battery at a voltage greater than the maximum network voltage when the generator is supplying a current below the high generator voltage.
The vehicle electrical system as described: A vehicle electrical system contains a DC network powering electrical devices. A first battery, like a lead-acid battery, connects to this network and has a maximum voltage lower than the network's maximum. A second battery, like a lithium-ion battery, also connects to the network. It has a higher maximum voltage than the network and the first battery, but its minimum acceptable voltage is still below the network's maximum. An adjustable generator charges the second battery, with the charging voltage configurable. An electronic unit controls the generator to alternate between a lower voltage (above the second battery's minimum) and a higher voltage (below the second battery's maximum) while the vehicle is running, optimizing charging for both batteries, includes a bidirectional DC/DC converter. When the generator's output voltage is below the high generator voltage, the converter can step up the voltage from the network to charge the second battery at a voltage higher than the maximum network voltage.
13. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the low generator voltage is higher than the first maximum no-load voltage of the first battery.
The vehicle electrical system as described: A vehicle electrical system contains a DC network powering electrical devices. A first battery, like a lead-acid battery, connects to this network and has a maximum voltage lower than the network's maximum. A second battery, like a lithium-ion battery, also connects to the network. It has a higher maximum voltage than the network and the first battery, but its minimum acceptable voltage is still below the network's maximum. An adjustable generator charges the second battery, with the charging voltage configurable. An electronic unit controls the generator to alternate between a lower voltage (above the second battery's minimum) and a higher voltage (below the second battery's maximum) while the vehicle is running, optimizing charging for both batteries, is configured so that the low generator voltage is higher than the first battery's maximum no-load voltage.
14. The method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the low generator voltage is higher than the first maximum no-load voltage of the first battery.
The vehicle electrical system management method described as: A method for managing a vehicle's electrical system, which includes a DC network for powering devices, a first battery (e.g., lead-acid) with a maximum voltage below the network's limit, and a second battery (e.g., lithium-ion) with a higher maximum voltage but an acceptable minimum voltage below the network's limit. The method involves using an adjustable generator to charge the second battery at varying voltages. An electronic unit controls the generator to switch between a low voltage and a high voltage during driving. The low voltage is greater than the second battery's minimum voltage, and the high voltage is less than the second battery's maximum. The low voltage is selected during initial driving phases, and the high voltage is selected for later driving phases, specifies that the low generator voltage must be higher than the first battery's maximum no-load voltage.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
May 15, 2012
May 9, 2017
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